Basic information
Job Name:
EMEA Benefits Lead / Specialist
Location:
London
Line of Business:
Human Capital Management
Job Function:
Investor Services
Date:
Friday, July 11, 2025
EMEA Benefits Lead / Specialist
The Carlyle Group
Accounting & Finance
London, UK
Posted on Jul 11, 2025
Position Summary
Based in our London office, the EMEA Benefits Specialist will be responsible for supporting the management and execution of benefits programs across the EMEA region in line the overall global benefits strategy. The role covers a broad spectrum from proactive management and advisory capabilities combined with administration responsibilities. An in-depth knowledge of benefits practices across EMEA is critical to this role. The role will also involve working closely with the EMEA payroll team to ensure salary and benefits are accurately managed and processed. This role works with cross functional global technology and HCM Operations and Information Systems teams to manage the alignment of EMEA benefits in our HCM system environment. This position is a great opportunity to work independently and evolve the scope of benefits programs and service whilst being part of the broader HCM team. The role will have a dual reporting line into the Global Head of Benefits based in DC and the HRBP team in London.
Responsibilities
Primary Responsibilities
• Manage and administer the end of end processes of the UK benefits, including monthly payroll and benefit provider reporting and invoicing
• Manage monthly payroll reporting and invoicing of select global benefit plans
• Develop consultant and local office manager relationships across EMEA
• Primary contact for employees, and escalate issues appropriately, ensuring delivering a resolution this includes building relationships with the business and advising on benefit related matters
• Manage EMEA benefit policies including recommending new policies and changes based on market data and employee trends
• Manage implementations of new policies, and independently liaise with necessary partners (brokers, external legal counsel, HR round tables) and update internal stakeholders. This includes keeping up-to-date with knowledge of the benefits market as well as statutory benefits and changes.
• Responsible for keeping all sources of policy information up to date e.g. employee handbooks, intranet, induction materials and Benefit Summaries.
• Partner with EMEA Office Managers as the primary contact on benefits renewal, legal changes, policy changes and updating any tax changes to EMEA Payroll
• Manage annual benefit renewals in partnership with brokers and internal stakeholders
• Responsible for ensuring benefit or policy design changes cascade to appropriate systems by partnering with appropriate technology teams and being primary source HCM contact for those teams
• Continually oversee EMEA budget to understand all inputs and flag when global budget needs to be updated. This includes pulling together the data for the budget and being responsible for timely delivery of the EMEA Benefits Budget
• Lead for analysing, collating and providing benefit/statutory insurance proposals related to employees when transferring between office locations or acquisitions by the firm
• Look for efficiencies in benefit processes and liaise with necessary stakeholders to implement these
• Continually looking for ways to improve the employee experience/ communications regarding benefits/ benefit offerings in line with market working with the Global Head of Benefits
• Lead the benefits induction programme for all new joiners in the UK
• Manage payroll instructions and communication to the EMEA payroll team regarding new joiners, leavers, benefits including auto-enrolment and changes in status
• Member of UK Pensions Governance Committee
• Ownership and point of contact for parental friendly policies and flexible working
• Analysing monthly Blackspark reports and escalating to HRBPS where there are extended periods of absence
• Communications for Benefits – changes/newsletter/intranet updates
Qualifications
Professional Experience
• Prior experience working in a similar capacity managing EMEA Benefits or Global Benefits for a 5+ years
• Strong working knowledge of global benefits including medical, dental, pension and other benefits specific in the EMEA region
• Experience with UK benefits is a must, additional regions in EMEA highly desirable
• Understanding and experience of all aspects relating to the administration of benefit plans
Education & Certificates
• Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in Human Resources or other related areas of concentration
Competencies & Attributes
• Excellent organization skills and attention to detail with strong follow through
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Works comfortably under pressure and meets tight deadlines
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of HR functions and best practices
• Prior experience using HR systems (WorkDay, BlackSpark is a plus)
Company Information
The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with $453 billion of assets under management and more than half of the AUM managed by women, across 641 investment vehicles as of March 31, 2025. Founded in 1987 in Washington, DC, Carlyle has grown into one of the world's largest and most successful investment firms, with more than 2,300 professionals operating in 29 offices in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. Carlyle places an emphasis on development, retention and inclusion as supported by our internal processes and seven Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). Carlyle's purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, which range from public and private pension funds to wealthy individuals and families to sovereign wealth funds, unions and corporations. Carlyle invests across three segments - Global Private Equity, Global Credit and Carlyle AlpInvest - and has expertise in various industries, including: aerospace, defense & government services, consumer & retail, energy, financial services, healthcare, industrial, real estate, technology & business services, telecommunications & media and transportation.
At Carlyle, we believe that a wide spectrum of experiences and viewpoints drives performance and success. Our CEO, Harvey Schwartz, has stated that, "To build better businesses and create value for all of our stakeholders, we are focused on assembling leadership teams with the strongest insights from a range of perspectives." We strive to foster an environment where ideas are openly shared and valued. By bringing together teams with varied expertise and approaches, we enjoy a competitive advantage and create a stronger foundation for long-term success.